This folk singer brings soft melodies and poetic lyrics to his debut album that can make even the most stressed out student relax, if only momentarily.

Currently touring with John Mayer, Teitur is the newest in the soft rock/folk music trend. His emotionally driven acoustic songs, such as "Amanda's Dream" and the title track, "Poetry & Aeroplanes," have the perfect amount of calming melodies and enticing lyrics.

Teitur's lyrics conjure Hawksley Workman while the tunes bring a soft Dave Matthews sound. Anyone who enjoys peaceful sounds felt with genuine heart should seek out this guy - he's got it and his lyrics about the endless search for love are poetic: "Let's go dancing/Let time stand still/Once your name was but a whisper/A simple wish upon my tongue."

Poetry & Aeroplanes has a consistent tone and beat - soft and slow. Pick up the album if you're looking for a change from the regular teenage angst/punk rock/hip-hop scene.

-Amanda Grainger

Ja Rule
Blood In My Eye
Def Jam

Ja may not Rule anymore, but at least we know he can still
rap.

With his fourth LP, Rule goes back to the barking, aggressive
style that helped put him at the top of the rap game, before
success caused him to slack and begin coasting through soft
radio-bait like "I'm Real" and "I Wanna Be Your Chick."

The album moves at a brisk pace and contains little filler.
Ja seems most interested in showing the hip-hop world he has
no intention of backing down from his rivals: "First off, fuck
the snitch [50 Cent]/and the Unit he claim/Fuck Dre, Partial
[Marshall] and Eminem/Plus, the world heard it before/They
tired of them."

Notable tracks include "The Life," the nod-your-head club
anthem "Clap Back" and "N****s and B****s," where he states
his desire for peace with 50, while still proclaiming his overall
indifference to the threats he's received: "I don't really
want war/But if you do/Then you're gonna need a lot more."

50, the ball's in your court.

-Brent Carpenter

Justin Steepe
To Cure a Stranger
Six at Six Records

Any good Dave Matthews release takes several listens before
getting a real feel for the album. Western student Justin Steepe's
To Cure A Stranger falls into the same class.

Almost all the songs display how well Steepe gets along with
his guitar. With a lot of single-note finger-picking sections
throughout the album, the listener at times is left wanting
to hear a full-band behind the guitar.

The album has several upbeat songs such as "Soul on Top" and "Trouble
Train." But "Tombstone Tree" is a slight contrast to the rest
of the album and is possibly the best track. Steepe softens
his voice, creating a mellower sound which evokes more meaning.
The last minute of "Midnight Sun" transfers from finger-picking
into slower, but strong chords. This new tempo, combined with
Steepe adding soothing background vocals, blends to make a
powerful finish to the track.